Biography of George W. ArnoldClarion County, PA Biographies

ARNOLD, GEORGE WASHINGTON, cashier of the First National Bank of Clarion, was born on a farm in York county,
Pa., November 5, 1820. At the age of seven years he was entrusted with the marketing at the neighboring stores
of the lighter products of the farm. About the same time he began his school life, attending such schools as were
at that time maintained in the county by individual subscription, before the establishment of the common school
system of the State. As there were but three months' school in the year, young Arnold's educational advantages
were very much limited, nevertheless by energy and perseverance, he acquired in a few years a good English education.
The nine months of the year out of school were spent in the usual occupations of a farmer's son. At the age of
twelve years he followed the plow day after day in season. Thus alternating between three months' schooling and
nine months' hard work, he remained on his father's farm until sixteen years of age. In the fall of 1836 he became
assistant teacher in the common schools, and receiving as recompense therefor the sum of three dollars per week.
He paid for his boarding by working morning and evening.

In the spring of 1837 he removed with his parents to Clearfield county, Pa., and the following summer worked on
the Musshannan and Packersville turnpike at one dollar per day and board. On the 7th of February, 1838, he left
his home and went to Karthaus furnace in the northwestern part of Clearfield county, and engaged with Peter Ritner,
the then superintendent of the furnace, as teamster and expressman. In July of the same year he was promoted to
the position of weighmaster, and in the following December to that of salesman for the same firm. In February,
1840, he came to the village of Strattanville, Clarion county, and entered the employ of W. H. Lowry, with whom
he remained until 1843.

In March, 1843 he married Hannah Smith, of Strattanville. They had born to them two sons and one daughter. The
eldest son, James Turnar Arnold died July i8, 1877. Mrs. Arnold died January, 1879. From the date of his marriage
in 1843, Mr. Arnold engaged in the hotel business at Strattanville. He removed to Clarion March, 1846, where he
followed the mercantile business until January, 1865, when the First National Bank of Clarion was organized and
chartered. Mr. Arnold was elected a director, and appointed cashier, a position which he has held continuously
ever since. By his efforts and financial ability the institution has prospered, has paid five per cent. semi annually
on the capital stock, and has the confidence of its depositors and the public in general.

In the year 1867 the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania. was chartered, and Mr. Arnold appointed one of the
trustees, and made treasurer. He was largely instrumental in the procuring of fine grounds and the erection of
a large and commddious building for the seminary, and still takes an active interest in the educational and material
interests of the town. The extension of the Pittsburgh and Western Railroad from Edenburg to Clarion was largely
due to the energy and financial aid of Mr. Arnold. In June, 1883 he married Mrs. Maggie E. Barnett, of Pittsburgh,
Pa., with whom he is still living.

From:
History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania
With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches
of some of its prominent pioneers.
EDITED BY: A. J. Davis
D. Mason & Co., Publishers
1887